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STAATSKOERANT
VAN DIE REPUBLIEK VAN SUID-AFRIKA

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

GOVER~ENT GAZETTE
As 'n Nuusblad by die Poskantoor Geregistreer Registered at.the Post Office as a Newspaper

Prys 20c Price

Oorsee·· 30c Overseas
POSVRY-POST FREE.

. -- '·'
: .- :. . ~..(

. -
. KAAPSTAD, 24 MAART 1976
. '
VoL. 129) ~
[No. 5027
CAPE TOWN, i4 MARCH 1976
'. . . . -
DEPARTEMENT VAN DIE EERSTE-MINISTER .·. . · DEPARTMENT OF THE PRIME MINISTER

. -
No. 473. 24 Maart 1976. - No. 473. ·· 24 March 1976.
· Hierby word bekend gemaak dat die Staatspresident sy · It is hereby notified that the State President has assented
goedkeuring geheg het aan die onderstaande Wet wat hierby to the follo~ing Act which is hereby published for general
ter algemene inligting gepubliseer word:....:.... - . information:'-
I .·
No. 15 van 1976: Wet op Planttelersregte, 1976. No.'15 of1976: Plant Breeders' Rights Act, 1976.
GOVERNMENT GAZETI'E~ 24 MARCH 1976 · No.S027 3

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGIITS ACf, 1976 Act No. IS, 1976 .

ACT"
To prolide for a System wbereurtder rights relating to riew v•rietie8
' : · of cei1aiil kinds of plants may' be granted and registered; for
· the protection 1of such rights ;and ·the grant of licences in
; respect ofthe exercise thereof; and to prolide for incidental
matters. · · · · · · · · -·. ·
·-..;..;...-'-:--:-----'---·· .. .
(English text signed by the State President.)
· . . (Assented to IS March .1976.) · :. · ,
BE
.
rr. ENACT~D by. the State President,· th~ Senate imd the
·~
House of Assembly ·o(the Republic_·of South: Africa, as
follows:-· .· . ·; ·. · ·. · , . . : , ... >.-
'. . - : ~- •.· . ' ... ··: ~ . : ~ '. ! .: ' ! •. ' • ( . . • .• . '·

. -. 1. In this Act, unless the context indicate$ otherwise- Definitions.

(i) "advertise" means to distribute to members·· of the
public or . to' bring to their notice in any .manner
· whatsoever any written, illustrated,, visuaL or other
descriptive material, oral statement~ communication,
.representation or reference with, the .,intention to
·promote the sale of any propagating material of a new
variety or to' encourage the. use. thereof or to draw
attention to the nature, properties, advantages or. uses
thereof or to. the :manner in which: or the. conditions
on . which it ,may .:be purchased :·Or::othernise be
acquired·(i):
> - _,- ... ..,. : - ·_·,.,._
. . . , ,.. ·... ,, . ;.,,
I . .. .
: _(ii) "agent? ·_means , the. person . duly . authorized by an
: . . applicant~ breeder or holder to .act .on. his behalf in
: ~ - . connection with- any matter regarding: this Act and
who is .for. 'such purpose recognized by the registrar
·. •Jn accordance ·with_the prescribed: requirements; (ii)
(iii): ','agreement country~.· nieans ,a _co·untry, ~ncluding any
' .· colony, protectorate or territory subject to the_ authority
, ·.•:· or under: the suzerainty, of any other_country and any
territory oven which ta mandate or trusteeship is
exercised, which the State President :by:prpclamation
in the Gazette declares to be an agreement country
with a view to the. fulfilment of a bilateral agreement
:;. ·. concerning plant br~~ers' rights b~tweeif ~he' ~epublic
.,. · and such country; (xmJ· :•·.. : ;.. : n• ;·; · .·; > .~:.. :. 1· .
(iv) :"applicant" means a.person referred to in section· 6;
.. . (iii). ,., . , , ·.. .. . .. ' . .·! ; . • • ·;· : ;._,: . • . . , ; .:, .

(v) "board" means the board referred to in' section 42;

(xvi) ·. ·1';:,', ' • :,;..; ;:: .<::: : ,· L· .; . .. ,, ,. • •
(vi) "breeder'.', in relation; to .a new: variety;··mearis. the
· i ··/' person who 'directed; the. breeding of the new variety,
~.·: · onvho developed or discovered it; (xxi) ,. ·.
(vii) .."convention country'~ .means a ·country,' including any
. . •:coloriy; protectorate or territory subject to the authority
:or under 'the suzerainty of any other country and any
territory ::over· which , a. mandate~ or rtnisteeship is
exercised, ·which :the State President by. proclamation
in, the Gazette declares· to be .a convention country
with a view to the fulfilment of a convention concerning
plant: breeders' rights which has .been signed and
ratified by the Republic and such country; (ix)
GOVERNMENT GAZETIE, 24 MARCH 1976 No.5027 ~

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS ACf, 1976 Act No. 15, 1976: .

. . (viii). "denomination'', in relation to a new variety in respect

. ~ - ,.' of which. a. plant breeder's _right has been granted,
means the generic name for the _new variety; (v)
.. .. · (ix) "department" means the:Department of Agricultural
-, ·.·.~' ;Technical Services; (vi) .•·.·. : . .. · . . . ·
(x) "holder'\·in relation to a plant breeder's right, means
· the person to whoni such a right has beeri granted in
.·· . terms of section 20, or who, according to an entry in
, , • . ·, the register; is the owrier of such a right; (viii)
, . .. (xi) "kind of· plant" means all related genera, species and
subspecies of a plant .which 'are. known by the same
.. . : common name; (xx) · .. . . '·: · , , ,, , .
(xii) "mark,.means a mark a's defined in section 2 of the
. ; Trade, Marks Act; J 963 (Act 62 of 1963); (x) .; ,. .
(xiii) "Minister'' means the Minister of Agriculture; (xi)
; . · (xiv) ·"new ~variety'' means a variety which complies with
·· -~ .. the requirements of section 2; (xii) _. .. .. . · . .
. (xv) ."officer'~ means an officer. as defined in section 1. of
· . , ; the Public Service Act, 1957- (Act 54 of 1957); (iv) _ . .
(xvi) "plant" means any. tree, .'shrub . or vegetation, and
.. · t'includes any live part thereof, but·does not include any
. · " propagating _material or a derivative thereof which is
.usedi for . a purpose other thari the propagation or
multiplication of the plant; (xiv) · . ' .:.
'· - (xvii) "plant breeder's· nght" means a plant b~eeder's right
granted in terms of section 20; (xv) · ·, ·~, . · · ·•
. (xviii)' "prescribed"' means prescribed by 'regidation; (xxiv)
(xix) "propagating material... means any plant or any bulb,
' ·. · · .-. tuber, rhizome;· shoot~· bud or othei" vegetative part '.
::. · · · 'of a plant' which reproduces' asexually~· and includes
·:t · theseedofaplant;(xxv) ''· '···- :: : ··· 'c. ' ; ." ,,.' · ·
:;::c: :(xx) •_•registe(~ _mean~ .the. register kept 'in' terms ofsection
·' · · · 4; (xvii) ·. .. · · . : .:·. .. . . ;_ ·.. . : , .. 1 · , ,
. (xxi) ."registrar" means the. officer designated as Registrar
. . ·. , 'of Plant Breeders'.. Rights~ in.terms of section 3, and
.. ' . ' includes iui ' officei'acting under' a detegati.o n froin or
. .. .. . . under the. control or direction·.of the· ·r egistrar; (xviii)
,i. (uii). "regul~tion" -mea~s a .re~lation niad~ under this Act;
: ; (xix) , • . ;: .· : · · - .. . ·.
.,: '(xxiii) ~·sell'' inCludes •agree :to . sell; · to . offer,. advertise, or
· · keep, •expose,• transmit,~ send,:·convey ·or ·deliver for
' ... ~ sale, ·or to exchange or to dispose of to any person in
.. · :·any manner for a consideration; and"sold'' and "sale"
. •• ~ ·: ····have corresponding meanings; (riiii) :.: :; ._. ·
~- i '(xxiv)· "this Act'~ includes the' regulations; (viir·· ·:
.. (xxv) ·~variety" meiu1s' aii)/~~ui'tivar~ cion~. bh~eding line or
·;~ ,,; ·;· ·, hybridof a k.ind'ofplanfwhi9h ean be cultivated. (xXii)
· ·- ·· · - ,, ~ --' ~-- ~ ( ' .1 ; ~) ,~ - .. ' . 'J - . , . - ,· ' • .; ' . • . . .- , ·_ ;· ~· . 1:
· -~ _, . i _. _ ' ,-' o .: . • , .-, ~ . ! - . ~ _; f .. ·- ~ : - . ~. 1 _ , . -~·· , ? .- ·.,•;.-:,; . , _. . _ _.
. 2. (1)' A' plant breeder's ' nght, the contenL and ' mode. of Application
exercise of which are as determined in this ACt~· may be granted of Act.
in respect of any new variety of any kind of plant which the
Minister by notice in tlie Gazette dechires- to bea kirid for the
purposes of this Act'·· · ' '· .. -· : . .
··(2) A 'variety of a:- plant referred to in ·subsection (1) shall be
deemed to be a ·new variety if~ ' ' '' •· · :_·' ·· " · ' .. , : '
. , .. (a) .. it. is not available in .the' Republic:to' the public in the
: ·: .:· trade o'r
otherwise at.the time the application for of.
: : · )he· relevant plant breeder's. right or has at such t ime
. ... ~:. ',not been ·available elsewhere for more' than'4 years;
•... (b)' ,it is not genenllly ktlown.at the' time 'ofthe application
·.~ 1 _. .: ·' for the relevant plant.breeder'sright;' . . . .
(c) it is by reason of any important characteristic clearly
· · ; distinguishable from any other .variety of: the same
:··~. · . .·kind ofplant.the existence·ofwhich is.a matter of
common knowledge at the time of the application for
GOVERNMENT GAZETIE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. 5027 7

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGJITS:Acr; 1976 Act No. 15, 1976 , ' ·

, ·" .•· ~ : the'relevant'plant breeder's right, :wbatever.the origin,

: · ' artificial or natural, of. the initial •variation·from which
: . . ,, · !itresultedmaybe; : •· : ·1. '.-~ , . , v... . :<l· ·
(d) it is sufficiently homogeneous having. regard to the
· · ·, .. particular:· features ! of the sexual. reproduction ·or
vegetative propagation thereof; and. •·: ·. .:.•-·
-- :· ·.(e) rit is ·stable· with regard·to the ·essential characteristics
·, ' : · :·thereof. and .·remains _true to the: description thereof
after repeated reproduction or propagation or, where
·the ·breeder ·bas defined ' a ··particular. cycle :of repro--
~;>. ! ! ! 'duction or multiplication, at the. end of each.cycle.
(3) A characteristic·referred ·to:in .subsection(2) :(c) may be
of aJ morphological or pliysiological or:.any otherrnature~ and
shalL be •such. thaf iLis clearly: recogriizable·. and ;precisely
describable;:. :.·: . :.: { :. •, ' r. : · .~ :. • .' ,- : . .: · ····' ·.. •:: ·
·~ (4) For the puft><)ses of paragraphs (b) and (c).of subsection
(2), a variety shall be deemed to be generally· known and the
existence of a variety shall be deeinedto be a matter of common .
knowledge, as the ca:se·may be;'if the:varietyr at the time of· the
relevant application' foi a· plant breeder's tight~' ·. ·, · · :; : · ·: ·:
-:;:' (a) ...was entered iii' an official list of varieties; or an~appli­
::·:. · . · cation fo~ such entry is under'coilsideration;;;· ·· : .:· ·
· :(b) is included iri a. reference·collection' accessibltHo the
· · ,··.. · .: ··public;··· ·· ·: ' · :, :: . :: ··:: .' ' :. .' ·· · ··· -··: :_. ·.·: .. · •
: ~:'-'(c) 'has been precisely described hi a publication which is
·~:- ··. . accessible to'the 'public; c)r U ": •' : . .. .. ' ': . .~·· ·. ' '; 1.;
(d) has otherwise come to the kilowledge·ofthe public. ·
3. (1) The Minister shall designate an officer-in the depart- Designation of ~ • I
ment as the Registrar of PlanLBreeders' Rights, who ·shall ,be registrar. ' · ·r
the authority to whom the protection of new plant .varieties is
entrusted, and who shall exercise the powers; perform the func-
tions and carry out the duties conferred upon, assigned, to or
imposed upon the registrar· under this Act. :: . .· ..·'. · ._
(2) The registrar·. shall ' exercise · his .· powers, perform · his
functions and carry out.his duties subject ·to any instructions
issued bY the·Minister~ :::; , , : .. . : fi· . ~ ~,
• ;, .. #

· (3) (a) Any. power: conferred upon, function assigned ·to or

.c . · i duty imposed :upon the registrar ' may be · exercised,·
performed or carried out by the registrar personally
or by an officer under the delegation,_ control .or
. ': d.itectioh!ofthe registrar. · ' . ··.. · : . ;(;. ': · · ~ . : ~ ; ' ' .. .
(b) Any decision made or' order' given by any such 'officer
, , . . · i niay ·~e withdrawn or amended.·by' the'registrar, and

. ''shall~· until it has been so:withdrawn or aniended, be

.i ' ; . deemed, exceJ)t for the purposes· of this paragraph, to
1
_': • ; • have been' inade bythe registrcir: :;' T . ',', · ' : .
•1'(4) The offi.eer designated as registrar in tenils of section 3 (1)
of the Plant Breeders'. Rights' ACt,' 1964 '(Act 22 of 1964), shall
be deemed to have been! designated•:·as · Registra( of Plant
Breeders'· Rights· in terms ·or this section: ; .- . · · . '
~ ·;~!: ' l: ~_ ·r. q . · .·. i ~·· -' :..1 ~
' 4~ (1) The registrar :shall 'keep:.a register of plant ' breeders' Register of ·.
rights granted interms·ofthis Act,· in which shaU·be entered~ P,la:;tt breeders'
· (a) the kind of plant to which each new variety belongs; ng s.
1

··' . (b) the .denomination' of each' ilew~variety· and : any ap- ·

· proved change thereof; .:~ :>·:·!,,_.,.... . '' ; ' • .•·
.· ' ' (c) . the principal· morphological; physiological and' other
.·· · .. · · ·characteristics of each new variety, and, where varieties
· · •. are ·produeed· by a: cross between certain hereditary
· · components, the principal morphological and physio--
. · · . logical characteristics ·or such components; :, , , . ·
(d) the full name and address of the original breeder ·of
each new variety;
·' (e) r the name · and address ·of the • holder : of the plant
breeder's ·right in each new variety and the name and
address of
each person. to who·m such right has been
• • 1 ·.·transferred;·· · .. · ·:·:·,. . ._.; · ·• ·· ! . ;
/ ' ' :!; I ~ ' ' .
GOVERNMENT GAZE'ITE, 24 MARCH 1976 No.S027 9

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS ACT, 1976 Act No.l5, 1976

. (f) ·the ·name and address of the .person who has been
,• · appointed as the agent of any ,person referred to 'in
paragraph (e); · · ··· ·: · ·· · · :. ' · ..
(g) the date of inception of the plant breeder's right in
each new variety; ·;. . :, . . ·L ·· , .
(h) the date on which a plant breeder's. right ceases to
exist and the reason therefor; i· . . , . . . . , • ';
(i) the name and address of· each persoi1 to whom a
licence has .been issued in terms of section 25 for the
. use of the plant breeder's l-ight; . .·! : .·' ':. . ' ·. . . '
U) the name and address of each 'person· to whom: ~
. .compulsory licence has been issued in terms of section
. · · 27 for the use of the plant breeder's right; and . ' .·.
(k); such other particillars as the registrar may, subject. to
the provisions of this Act, deem necessary.
(2) The register shall, upon payment of. the prescribed fee,
be open for inspection at the: ~ffice 'of the 'registrar during, office
hours. _ :._l . :'_, ... •; .. -;·:o ·,_) -.· ~ ; ·.. 4 _·· i:' • ~-~~- ·.r.;·: ·.'· ; j :~ : ) -· • . . i \

. (3) The· registrar ·shall furnish, at the' request .of any •})erson
and uponpayment of the prescribed fee, acopy ofany particulars
in the register or a, certificate in respect thereof. . ·; · · · ' '·
(4) The register kept 'in terms of section 4 of the Plant
Breeders'·Rights Act, 1964 (Act22of1964), shall be incorporated
in and form: part of the' register t<>' be' kept' under this section,
and any document·supplied ·to the registrar under=that Act in
terms of any provision·. thereof{ shall ,pe ·deemed to· have beeri
furnished to the registrar uiidet the ·corresponding provision of
this Act. ' · ·.. · ·

. 5. (1) The register shaH be)rbnafocle evidence ofall matters Register to be

directed or authorized by tllis Act·to.be noted therein. evid~nce.
(2)' A certificate by the registrar to th(effect that an entry
has or has not been made in the register or that ariy other thing
authorized by this' Act to ' be done, has or. has not been done,
shall be prima facie. evidence of the matters' · specified in that
certificate. · . · · · . ·,. ·,'.. · ·, L; . , • , ,' .'~~ '. ~ · . , . ,
• (3) A copy of'anentry in_the register or an extract frorihhe .
register, eertified'l)y the registrar/shall be admitted hi evidence
in any ~ourt wiihoutfurther prOof'orprodiiction of the register.
' • ; ' -~ • , . , l_ : .0:.; . ~ .•: •, .·• ..·! ! .J I ~ : , ·• • ' . .., • ' 1 •• • • • . • :

. 6.' (l).An application und~f section) for 'ih~ grant<>fa plarit Persons entitled to
breeder's right maybe made by~ :.. • . · · · . .·. '. · ·· ,'- . . ,··. apply f~r J!lant .
. (a) the breeder of a new variety of a kind of plant 'referred breeders nght•
..-. .-to in sectiQn 2 '(1): Pr6yided that where the_ breeder is
.. an, .employee~ and his duties' are such ,that :they involve
.. , . plant. breeders' activities relating to.the kind .of plant
in question~ the· applicatiori,)hall be ·m ade by · the
employer of the breeder, irrespective , of. whether . or
. not such breeder:is paid a salary; or -. . · · · :-.
(b) tlie successor in title of a personwho'under paragraph
. . (a) may submit an application. . ·-. . . . ..
· (2) An· application by a person referred to in subsection (I)
who is not resident in the Republic or, in the' case of a juristic
person, .which does not have a registered office in the Republic~
shall be submitted · only through an agent who is resident in the
Republic. · · . · . . . . . ·. . . · . ,~ · ~
· (3) An application referred to in subsection (2). shall ; be
considered only if the applicant concerned is a citizen ofthe
Republic or is a . citizen of, or. is domiciled: in; a . convention
country or ari agreement country, or, in: the:.case oCa:juristic
person, has a ·registered office in the· -Republic or a .conven.tion
country or an agreement country~· . , :: · ···.· .·:'
• ' .J , .
· ·· . ·
,· : '• : , • - I ' - • '. \

.. . . ,., - '
~

: ~ ~

7. (1) Application may be made by any person referred to in Application

section 6 for the grant of a plant breeder's right in' a new variety for a plant.
of a kind of plant referred to in section '2 (I), : . : :. ,: breeder's nght.
(2) An application under subsection (I) shall be made to the
registrar in the form and manner prescribed, be accompanied
GOVERNMENT GAZE'ITE, 24 MARCH 1976 No; S027 II

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS ACf, 1976 Act No; 15, 1976 • .·

by, :the prescribed' application: fee . and. contain· an·; address

in the Republic to.)Vhich any.noticc.or communication may be
sent.·:· ' : .; ·.· .., . ~:r;, ;; ! ;_' h:;;;.~ :.··· .·c ... •• . :: . :
·~ (3) ·A'legal rep~seiltative ·or_im agent'making'an application
shall furnish such·proof of his title or authority as·the'registrar.
may require or as may be'•prescribed.:.:: .'-2i :::u~!':; .;·, .·' · ... , -
(4) The name and address of an agent of a person applying
for tf?:e gr3:nt of_a,:plant breeder's rig~t and of the ag~nt of.a
holder ·of such' a tJght, shall be furntshed ·to the registrar m
writing ·and ·shall be deemed Valid until the' registrar· is notified
in writing of any cnange.'·: . . ' ' . .•.· . '.. . :_.: -
·· (S}A cliahge'referred t<dn s1Ibsection (4)'shall be' submitted
in
to the registrar the prescribed form and maimer. · .. , ..
' ~.. ~ • : • •·~• . i . ,: :; . .! . :, .•.:. _r ; ..' ·~ ·~ (. ~; ~ • •!~ ... ' i

. j ' .- ' ," ' ,; •., .

.. 8. (1) :T,he efl'ective date of anapplication in t~rm~ of section Priority and

7; shall .be, the _d ate_.on whi(:h •_the: application is .received by the reda!ing. of
registrar, and if more than one application in :respect of the apphcatlons.
same variety is received, priority shall be given to the application
first receiv~d ~y the registrar.. , , , :: :, :, , _.·~ : .. : . , .
(2) If an application referred to in section 6 (2) is preceded
by an application for protection of, the. same new variety in a .
~o11vention 1 country or an agreement country and·,the last-
mentioned ,application has been ,deposited in accordance with
the laws iri. force in that,cou'ntry,· theregistrar shall; notwith·
standing· the- provisions of' subsection (1) of. this section, give
priority to the first-mentioned application if---:- , • : ·.: · .·. :
(a) it is submitted to
th~ registrar in the prescribed form
, within · the prescri6Cd period of the date on .which
, . ·: . such. preceding ·ap'plication was duly deposited in a
: : .: convention country or an agreement country; · · . .
_,(b) it is acCompanied by a claim in respect of the priority
· · : ·thereof; and · '' .. · : · · ·.. ·. ·· ·' · .. , · .
· (c) ii is"aecoriipanied liy the prescribed ·appFcidon _fee_;
: (3) A claini' referred to in' subsection ..(2) (h}'sliall'withinthe
prescribed period ofthe date. on which it.was submitted to the
registrar, be confirriu!d by lodging with the registrar-a · copy,
certified as correct bythe appropriate authority in the convention
country or· agieemerit country in 'question; of each document
which constitutedtherelevant preceding application.. · ·
' (4) ' An apptfeatio'O:' given priority under:subsection (2) shall,
within ' the prescribed period, which sliall 'not exceed 4 years,
reckoned from the date.on which the prescribed period contem-
plated .i n subsection (3) 'expired, be confirmed by supplementing
it iri' any respect necessary in' order to comply with the require-
m~nts of this Act. . . , :, ·• : ·. :: ·: , , .. - ,
. (5) Iftwo 'or more applications for the protection· of the same
new variety have been deposited on different dates in different
convention countries or agreement countries, the period referred
to in subsection (2) (a) shall be calculated from the date on
which the earliest.of such· applications was deposited with the
appropriate authority. , , . , · :: .. , . : , . .,· , ; . · . · ·
(6) If the registrar has given priority to an application under
subsection (2), no matter referred to in section 2 (4) which occurs
within the period referred to in subsection (2) (a) of this section,
shall constitute a ground of objection to ·such application.
to
' (7)' Any priority given an 'application· under subsection (2)
shall lapse if any document referred to in-subsection (3) or (4)
is not submitted within the relevant period; · ·· ·
a
(8) Where an application for plant breeder's right' has been
received by tlie registrar arid a new application in respect ofany
part of the subject-matter of the first-mentioned 'application is
made by the same applicant' before a plant breeder's right has
been' granted, the registrar may .direct that the ·new application
be antedated to a date not earlier than the date on which such
first-mentioned' application· was received by him. ·
GOVERNMENT GAZETIE; 24 MARCH 1976 No. 5027 13

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS ACT, 1976 Act No. 15, 1976

an
:' (9) ' Where· applidtioifteceived by t,he registrar is amend~d
otherwisc:rtha:ri by way of explanation o·r ccirrectiori before the
application is published ~in ' teims, of. section 13; . the .registrar
may direct that the date oflhe application· shall be' the date on
which it is·amended or; if it has been returned to·the applicant,
the date on·which it is again received by the registrar: ":· ·:
:).~ ._- 1 ' ; _~ - -· -·_. - . • • . -. - ,.. . :_ .~ · • ,.. , ; .: : , ! :~ q " ;: ~

:.:~- 9.· (1). An application referred to iri.section 1 'shali be 'accom- Description and
panied by:...:..:: •: ··. :·:· ' ' r: · ·. :_ · · ·; . .' · • :·' ,· · .. . ·: . · · .,..,. : · .. ·· sa~pl~s of new
. (a) _a des~riftion,'ili the ~~r.n!· req~ired b~ the· regist~ar, .<>f vanet1es. .
· ·. · a typ1ca ·plant of the vahety m question; and .-' · ·
(b) such coloured illustrations of a typical plant of.thenew
.. : · :· ··;, variety as;: are required by the registrar. · ·.:. r ' ~ '. • '·..
.·.: '. (2). The. descri'pti6n 'referred,' t~ in. subsection (I) (a)~ . -~-..
::: ""(J) shail.jnd,icate the deriominatibn .ofthe' varil~ty ,con-
cerned; . - ' . "· ' . . :"· . . . ... . ...
_. Jl;.(b) .. shall b~ accompanied by such othe~ particulars as may
. . . : ; be prescribed or required 'by. the registrar;and;~ '": ! ' •
,;.·· ... (c)' shall specify the procedure 'to be used for the main-
tenance and reproduction of the variety concerned. . ·
-: · (3) The reliistrar ma:y·requite-:-· · < · .:; : · ·· · dj · : '·
(a) that plants of the .variety concerned or'ofthe variety
. from which it Origirlated be shown''to him;
~·),):(~) . 'tliat :su_ch ~dditio~a(.i_ri~<?~~ti.~>Iior;;speei~ens as he
..."' .~· , deems , necessary· to determine whetlier or not the
.,, :,~ ...: : '·variety concerned .constitutes. a .new: variety, be fur-
' · ·. iiished'fohim; ~~··:,·' ;;,: .:, :.': .·." ... :.;1 1 ... ·
• ' ·: • · • ~ ; • f :. :_ t: ' ' -' ' • · ·J :' • 1 1 r r• • ~ ·. -1 • ' i . - · ·•. • • _· _ •~ _· · • · • . ·, '
. ;: 10.' (i) The denomination''o fa new varietysliallbe prOposed Denomin~tion of
.by the .·person· who;applies .for. the, grant of a plant breeder's a new variety.
~fight in respect thereof; and,such denomination shall be subject
to the approval of the registrar.. · :.. ·r
. ; (2) Subject to the· provisions·of. subsection (5), .the registrar
may, at any time before a plant breeder's right is granted, reject
aidenomination' proposed under·subsection (1) if he considers
it:unsuitable, and· direct .the applicant to submit'a translation
thereo~ or.some other:suitable denomination·. _; . · :.· ·::
.. ·(3)"A·deriomipation~ ·' !'' .·: : r ' · · · · ·• : ~·. ~··
11
, '(a)' 'shait'be suitable'·to'identif{k .variety; ;.' . f . .. •
~- .' (b) '. sh'all not' be such Js id' bcniabte:to mi~I~ad ..or to lead
v'i' ' .. to. confusion concerning the-characteristics; value or
.. ... identity. ofthe variety in' question~ or: the identity of
: ·· r..<) ;Jhe ~!eedep~ereor; -; •; ;; ·!',' _ ,, ·:- -· :: · ~,. ': ' .· r : i : ;
•.• • l ·(c) ., shalr;h¢ 1_different ft:~m : ~every .denomination which
.... :. . . . designates existing varieties. of; the same ,or a closely
~; .> .::.... relatedldnd of. plant; ~.[_ ..1, :- ,,., , : r: •.:• • .
!··) ; (dL shall, 'subject to the-provisions of-subsection (4), not
.: •.-. ;"1 . . , , be .identical· with: or similar ·to, :or liable to lead to
:- .; · .. confusiori:·with,r a, designation ..-which · enjoys the ·
. · • : ~ . ::-. :protection accorded to a mark .within;the meaning-
. .: r • (i) in· the Republic; of the Trade Marks· Act, 1963
: ··· ;:- ·.· ·· (Ac't'62oft963)·or·: ·· · ·, _ ~ · ·. ~·
(ii) in a convention ~ounfcyor an·agieemenfi::ountry,
. of the laws relatingto trade marks in that country,
. ... . .' :.and- which _applies. to .'propagating material 'or .. the
.-.·:'i. :·. .. ·. use,in connection therewith _or in coriil~cti.on with a
.. •. · . ..,Productthereof; ,, :.. .' . ·.. ~ : : ·. " ·_- · . . · . . . :
·· · , (e) . shall riot be' iniinical ;to jlliblic' ·order o'r contrary to
. . ; :: morality; and. . .. . '" . . ; . ' ", . ,. ' . ·. ·,
·..•. ,, (f) .shall . comply with .such 'further requiremen~. a's ': the
. :: .registrar may determine. . , . _, ·, , . ; . . . , .. . . ·
• .(4) If the denomination :of a new variety 'proposed by ' an
applicant in -terms of subsection (1) is a designation in respect
of.which he enjoys' the protection referred to' in subsection (3)
(d), the registrar shall not approve such denomination unless
GOVERNMENT GAzEITE,24 MARCH 1976 No.'S027 lS

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGIITS Acr; 1976 Acf No. 15, 1976

the applicant in writing renoui1<:es his _rigbt·to the mark ·in

question. as from:thedate on which .a plant. breeder's •right·in
the new variety is. granted•.· ::' o ' ' · - ~' ,.-, . ·• .. • >.·: ; · .·, ;:: .·. .._., .
(5) The denomination approved by the registrar for a new
variety in respect of which protection has been granted by, or
an application for protection has been lodged with~· the appro-
priate authority in a convention country or an agreement country
in accordance With the laws in force in that country, shall be the
same as the denomination thus protected or thus.applied for in
such country, if the provisions of subsections (3) and (4) have
been·complied·with and a' preferent claim thereto _by.another
person has ·not been established.· > ~ -· ~ .· ·. ' ; .• .' .. ' .
~, ·. · (6). No derioniination, other than the approved denomination
of a variety, may at any time, whether before or after the expiry
of the term of the plant breeder's right in respect thereof, be
~sed in ·connection with such variety. . ->' . , :;-;_ . ·: .;<; , ! ,i ~- '
i ' ', ) ;~ ·, ·~· -~ - :·. . :. _..•. ·.··: .. . , . ~ : ,._ . ;··: !_:· ( :•! ~.. ,~ .. .-.... : ~-: •_ .• ;: : . · f. ;_.
_:.u. (I) The registrar may .reject an application made to him. Rejectjon of ·
under section 7 if it appears to him--:-:-. . ._ · .; ·.. i ._. ; .. ,,:_c : ·. ,•.·.. application. 'j

(a) . that the application does ,not· comply ·.with :any ·pro-
·_. ,.;,! -- ..:vision of this-Act; ...... · · :1 · '; : "'1 -· :. ' • · ' · '· ' , • ·
•.-, (b) that the variety in respect of which the application is
: ,made-- . . ·. · ' . ; .. -~ . '- ;..~:: ·.: ~ ~.:
··:. , .:(i)is-~otanewv~riety; · ~ · . _ . . · :·: '" ':· .
.' :, · , (ii) does .not toinply With any provision of this Act;
• ,. . . ·. . f. or~- ". ... ... . . . ·:·: · -:·.-:,:• ;·.·.·.
· _ .· ... ::(iii) does not belong ·.to ·a kind of. plant ~ which the
· ' ·· . ! - , . -:· .. Minister has declared to be a kind in terms of sec-
. · '' · · · tion2; · .. ,:: ·..: >::·: .: r· , - .
(c) that the ~pp~ica~t ~~;Dot under this Act entitled to make
the application;· ·::- ,~ · _. ~· . . : ~ _ ., .. . . : .. ·~ ·' ·
, (d) . that the , application . contains t a · material: misrepre-
' ;-. , ., sentation; > ::' . . :,. ' · :-, ,_ ..· .-, · -: : : , ..
, ..: (e) - that the application: fraudulently affects the rights of
the holder of a plant breeder's right or of the person
. . ,. . to_whom provisional -protection has . been!granted in
'·-· .· ·_ terms of section 14;. '- . :~·~·,.. : ;· · ~' • ._. -, , _.
__(f) that .the applicant refuses or has failed or is not able
to propose an acceptable denomination; , · ,
(g) that the· propagation ·of the variety in question would
require repeated use of propagating material of another
_· : . variet}t'for .·which plant .breeders': .rights have been
-. ··. ,,·granted to or; applied .for by: another person, ,unless
,' ': _.: · , such ,-propagating ·.material :is· .used :.under.·a licence
.;: .' : < issued in terms of section 25 or 27; . > -· . • : ! • : ' ; : .) :
/ ; . (h) that the description submitted does not clearly describe
:.j • ,:.•. ··the variety; or · .. : .. ... ···' i~.•, -• . , , ... . -..... .. _. .· ; , , .. : _.,,;
-'' ... (i)' .that, where such appii~tio~ has been ·p~eeeded by an
application for protection of the same variety in a
_, ,. , , . ·i, convention· countcy_ -or-.. an ·agreement·. country, .. the
: •:, r . description:submitted. to him. differs from .the ·descrip-
,-: . : tion submitted in ,such preceding application or that
-' . · .· .... the description in such preceding application does not
describe.a new. variety. referred to in section.2.,•. :.~. · •!
:., (2) If the registrar reject~ an application in terms of subsection
(1) he shall ;in writing :advise ,the .person who applied :for·the
· grant:.of.a plant·breeder's - right, of ;his·decision· and of :the
grounds on which itis base<J ..: .. > '", ·: ,, ;:. ,, ~, . .· :' ::'-.·,.. ;
! ... : ,: .._· ( !: '/ t·:. ~ i ~ ~·":· : (~ ..·· . ~· f . · · 1· ••; • ~- ·..•::iit.·· ··.:"L:;.i ;·; · : ~ ; •:r . ;·.i·; ' ..:• :
·:·12. (1) A person:who has made a·n application under section Amendment of
7 for the grant of a plant breeder's right, may at any time before application.
such.application is.published under. section 13,-add-to or alter
the . description which , accompanied his ;.application, ~ or , the
proposed denomination ofthe:yariety.in question.· :: ~ .; · .. _, ; ~:
·· (2) If an application is made for such addition or alteration
after the said publication, the registrar may, if he is of the opinion
that the addition or alteration is of material importancef direct
that the .date of the applicatio'n Jor. the addition or,,alteration
. . .be
shall .. . .... ~not
a · date ... earlier
.~ .than
. .:the-.'date
: .. of
• . .the
. ; . .relevant'appli-
~ . . . '
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. 5027 17

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS Acr, 1976 · Act No. 15, 1976

catiori under section 7, or thatthe date of the application under

section 7 shall be a date not later tli:in the date of the application
for the addition or alteration, and. the registrar shall iii either
case republish the application under section 7 in amended form.
~"f , . . -- .. ' I ',_.: ~.' , t

· 13. (1) ·If the registrar·does not reject an application under Publ!ca~on of
section 11; he·shall by notice iri the Gazette publish such parti~ application.
culars relating to the application as may be prescribed, . · · ·
(2) . If an application published ·under: subsection. (1) .is With-
drawn before a plant breeder's right in respect thereof is granted
o~ refused 'in' terms. qf.this A.ct;. the registrar 'shall publish !the
fact of sucli;withdi:awal by riotiCe in 'the Gazette~· ' , .:: ·· ,. ·
' J J - ·. ~ 1 . ' I 1, 1 , 'J i ; : , .J - , · , •· • ' • ; . • :, > :. • ~ t • , , · - o • . : , •. , l •- I ~,

, 14•. (1).;The· registrar. may; at the request of a person wh·o~~ Gra~!t .of
appl!~tioii fori the ~ra~t of' a · p!an~: .J:>leeoer_'s)~g~f ~s. tC?' b<? p~~~~f:Oal
published under section 13 .(1), tssue a protective. dtrectton .to P •
such.person in respect ofthe yarietyin question.: l '.
• • • • "',;. < ' • • : .• . - - I • • • • ' ~. ,.. • ' ; • · · • · ~ • t ~ •
J ; • .-. .: : .
1 .~ ·' \. • · ·-
' .; •
• • II. '

: , (2) , Such protective direction shall be issued only-:-::--, ru "):) .:;

(a) if the registrar is .·satisfied·. thatl·such •:information,
· •;i · : -: ~facilities and material as he may require to·enable him
. ·.· · · . / ; to consider •the: application· for the -grant of: a · plant
breeder's right; have been furnished to him; and • ~· ' •
. (b) . ifthe applicant has givena written undertaking to the
, ... . 'registrar.· that, subject to'the. ptovisions 'of subsection ·
.'i . ·. . .(3)~ he 'sha11 'not~· while 'th'e 'protective directioi:t" idri
·:·: -'; ·.: '.' :~·· . force;· --:~el! ~·or·. ~ori.~_ent'; to: sell __in' t.he 'Rep~b~ic; ,any
·· ·· · · reproductive matenal of the vartety m question~ ;__ ..~~;
. (3) (a) The holder . of. a protective .cl:irection.,shall, notwitli~
., .. . . standing an undertakin~f referred .to,in subsection (2)
· ;, . .. · . ,· (b),, be entitled tcisell or offer. for·sale._reproductive
: ~. : ' ' materialof.th(.nariety.in questionfo(the purj>oses of
;,::.. . ·. :: '.mu!t.ii>l!~t~.<?nci_desting.-. _-, · :~ . ·;;'. ·· ;•. _;_, );·;,!::-,::;;;,·:·:
!·> (b), All -the reproductive material produced;· directly.. or
1 · , :<. :~. indirectly, during ~_such multiplication i or. testirig, •as
well as any unused reproductive material; shall become
! 1 . ~ , ":.orre~ainthe property of the. holder.of. t!Je protective
,,_, ,:·;:. :.dtrectlon, ,,·:·. :.: :·::.' :.' '. ·~! : ,; ,: : '· ''' ' · • : ..-: . .. ..
: . r~ : :}.'.; ' . i. : !) . '), : :.;. ~' J:, ·~! ·.if..;}< ; ' ~-··;•.; ;· : . ·; : ·· :'< ··... !};\'/ ·:.- :

:, ·15. While a :protective direction is in~force," the· variety in Effect of

respect of which. it .was.issued shall be protected as if a plant provisi?nal
breeder's right hadbeen grantedjri respect thereof, and anything protection.
that would constitute an.infringement of a ·plant·breeder's right ·
·or would· be •actionable in proceedings by the holder of such
right, shall, if it is done .w ith reference-to a variety so protected,
beactionable;;' .: · · . · :r . ;;;: :r·.~ : '.. .:• : :'.~ _ i: ;<: :. :. :: _;, __ : 1.:

. 16. (1). 1\. protective directionJssued undet's~ccloD. 14 shall, Termination of

subje~ttd 'tlle,prov.ision~ ·,of,s~bs~_ction (2), ,cease to ~e of force pro;is!?nal
on the· date on whtch the regtstrar finally allows or ·refuses the pro ec ton.
application for'a:phint breeder's right in 'respect.ofthe variety
for which the protective direction was issued• .· ·,. · . ·: . , ;
, ' .. (2) .A.protective dire~tio'n' may ·withdrawn. ~t an:..earlier be·
date by the . registrar if, .i11. his, opinion, Circumstances justify
the Withdra.wal, and shall be withdrawn at im earlier date bi the
registradf he is satisfied ,t hat the. holder. thereof has failed to
frilfilthe terms. of an, undertaking rz:eferred to in' paragraph, (b)
of section .14 (2)~. or.that he has given' an undertaking, whether
enforceable by law or not, to another' perso"n in terms whereof
such holder isdeprivedofthe right to institute ari action referred
to in section48 or. an action for, damages in respect of: an. in-
fringement of a plant bree'der's fight. . . : ·: ' • .., . ·; ~ "... .
' ,; ,; • ' ,"" ~ , · , • • ~ -· I " • .r • ,• ' , _. • _. • . •

,"~ ~0
0
• t , ' . :. I · - , • / '.t ' .' o ; t - I , ·' 1 .. ': ·••: • . - ' • :' I •· ;

17. (1) Any person may within ·6 months from the date ori Notice and
which the particulars relating . to-an appliCation for· a plant sr<?unds of
breeder's right have been published in the Gazette under section obJection.
GOVERNMENT.GAZEITE• 24 MARCH 1976 No.S027 19

PLANT BREEDERS~ RIGHTS Acr, 1976 Act No.15, 1976 ,.,

13 ·(1), on payment of the · prescribed fee, lodge ·an objection

with the registrar to the grant dfi a'·:Plant. breeder's right in
pursuance of such application. .. ·' . , , . . . . ._ . . .
·· (2)' Such..objection·may ,be based '.rinly on i ground referred
to in' section 11 (I). • . .--· ,,.. : , .·· ;. _' ~ -. '> '· · · .·
· . (3) Such objection shall be in.Wriiing arid. the 'registrar may
direct that·it:be substantiated by suchproof, asbemay deem
necessary. , ."',:· .. , . ; ., . . , ,
. ·(4) .The person objecting shall serve a copy of any doctlment
and other proof lodged with the registrar iri. terms of subsections
(1) and (3) on the person who applied for the grant of the relevant
plant breeder's right, and shall-furnish the· registrar.with proof
oftheservicethereof•. .-. ..,. '1 , · • ''"t< .,. ;;' ··· .. ; ;.. ~ :: ; _ ,,~

;-_ (5) The applicant niay

_within 60 days frofu 'the.'date. of,th~
recetpt. of the documents and. other proof referred' to m. su~
section' (4), or within' such further time as .t he registrar may
a
allow, lodge' couriter~statementwitti the.'registrarin \vhich are
setout the particulars of any •ground upon which ·he'contests
any allegation of the person objecting; - ...),''·· ·_• ' . ' ~· ' :-
·• . . , , _: ' ~ -·, • . •r.l ·.: : · ·__ :· ,'~ . ~ ..,,:. · -: - .' : . · .- ..' .' . ·~· ~ , . ; .... ~~• . :
(6) The applicant shall serve a copy of such counter-statement
on the person objecting and shall furnish the registrar with proof
of the service thereof•..· . , ·, , :·· ,:, . : _..~ J . ·;, _ • ; ,

i I J. : .• .', ' ~1 .' • ! ; _. ' •· ~ "i •

' . 18. (1) Axi tibjection under 'sectio'n ri

shall be heard on the Hearing of
date and at the place and time fixed by the registrar, who shall an objection.
advise . the person objecting and· the pei'Son ;who 'applied for .
the relevant plant breeder's right, in writing thereof. ·
..·.(2) ·The registrar.' ~y. in his di~cr~tio n .appoint .one or more
.persons who, in his opinion, have experience in the adminis-
tration of justice or skill in any,matter whicJ;l may be considered
at the hearing, to ~~sis_t and advise him with regard to the hearing
of the objection, and the remuneration of any such person shall
be as prescribed and shall_be borne by_the State. . ~ 1
.(3) The· registrar lliay,- for the. purposes ·of the hearing of an
objection....;. . _· ·-. :. :. :·. · , . ' '· . -· · · ·· · ·
(a) . ·summon: any persoD: l who~· in · his opinion', niay give
. · · material ~info'rmatio·n· concerning : the· subject of the
·' hearing ;or. who :he believes ·has·. in his.. possession· or
'·' · ·, . custody or under his control any document which has
··" . ·.: ~ ··'·any bearing upon: the subject of the hearing; to appear
._, · • . . . ' .I before him at a time and' place specified in the sum-

. 1 ·· · · 1 mons; to be interrogatedorto produce that document,

• · ; - ., J and the registrar ·may retain :for examination · any
document so produced; .:_ ·c:. • • : :• :: : ' · '! ' ' .. ;
_, .. ·. (b) administer _an.oath-to or accept an affirmation from
.· .,, . . , .•. any person called as a witness at the hearing; and . ·;
·_·; :,. (c) r call' any person. present at the hearing as a.' witness
· and interrogate him and require him to produce any
: · . ·;:'• tdocument in' his.possession ·or.-custody or' under his
. control. : ..:. ·JL.::..,-
.- (4) ~e 'procedure ~t the''hearll1g 'of
:ari)>bjbhtio~ shall be
detemuned by the~ regtstr~r.
• : : ' ,. . . , .. : 1 ; : .. . • _I ~ I . : I
t j ;;
__ .' . '.,·· -·,~"' .. -~- · : "".
:l~: :! ; : I ! : ,·
.} . 1 \
; I '_, : . . . .• I ••-

(5) The person objecting and the person who applied for the
plant breeder's right in question may, _if he appears ,before the
registrar at the hearing of an objection, be represented by.an
advocate or.- an attorney or by a patent agent registered under
section 89 of the Patents Act, 1952 (Act 37 of.1952); ·: ,.~J ·.~: .;
~ : (6)' The 're'gisti'at shall,: after the)l~arlrig
writing advise the person objeeting and the person who applied
objection, in of an:
. for the grant of the relevant plant breeder's right, of his decision
and of the grounds on which it is based. ,;. . ' .'. ·. ':
.' ' ,., , . J ' • ( • • ,- • ' ~ I • ' • '

,· (1) An application· in respect of;'which the· registrar upholds

an ~bj~tion shall;lapse~ :and the. regist rar , ~~all. by . notice in
GOVERNMENT GAZETIE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. 5027 21

PLANT BREEDERS' lUGHTS ACf, 1976 Ad No. 15, 1976

the Gazette publish such particulars relating to the lapsing as

may be prescribed·• ' • ••· • · '· .• ~,':·. ·.; · ··' ' I ·· ···-;.· - · ,"'-· -·. ..·' •.•
t9. (lf(a) Th~ 'i:e~str~~ ·shall.co~sid~r'evecy·'appli~tion for Consideration and
, · the grant of a plant breeder's right published under ex~ina.tion of ·
.·.. · · section 13 (1) and all docu.ments and any other proof appllcattons.
:. · · • submitted. to him in connection.therewith, in order to
: _ ,: .. ·. ~sce~t_ain·whether:.the_application _co.rnplies ,with the

(b) ~t~~:~:~~j~~t!~: ta~t~~~n 'i~dged u~der ~~ction 17,

the registrar shall delay considering the relevant
;, - . application. until ,the objection has. .been disposed -of•
. .(2) The registra~ shall undertak~. such tests .and trials as he
may deem necessary with a variety m respect of which an appli~
cat10n is being considered under subsection (1) or ,have such
tests and trials undertaken in terms',ofsubsection (6); order in
to enable .him to determine' whether stich a variety is a new
variety.· · · · ·· · ·· · · _ · ,--:· , .· . ·· . · ·. , · ·· ·
{3) The. person whose application is l:Jeing· ·considered shall,
for the purposes of such tests and trials and at such .a time and
place as. the registrar may d~termine-:-, •. . - •. ·, , . :: . ,-. . :.. \
• ,_ (a),. pay _the . appro~riate_ prescribed examination fee; and
(b) furmshtheregtstr_ar-:-:-:-.:··· .' . -~ . •.:. ,:,: •,,\ · , .
(i) with the propagatmg matenal which he . may
r,• _ · .: ,., require; : .... , ·. . ,. -- .. . ·, - ._; · . : ·
' .." . ' .. (ii) with such specimens. of p_ hpits ofthe yar.iety. or of
., . parts of such plants as he may require;.and l" ;. .
. (iii) with. such. information in connection ...with .the
. . . .· variety as he may require. . . . . . . , : . ·, , . ,
(4) (a) Notwithstanding the provisio·n s of subsection (2), the
~ ·: , < · , registrar- may,· if he can obtain acceptable. results of
tests and trials· ·with the :variety in· question from the
. . appropriate authority in ,a. convention country or an
agreement' country, in his discretion decide not to
undertake any' tests or trials with a· variety in respect
'of. which"· 'an .application is . being: co~sidered under
,.. subsectioi:f(t): . · .' ·· •·· ·· __ _, . .. ·:. .. · .. .
(b) The costs involved in obtaining' the ' results under ·
.. . ,. .. paragraph (a) shall be paid to the registrar . by- the
:. _ . .' persOD\YhOSe application is being COnsidered. :, ..·· ,
.. (5) Different. examination,fe'es ;may be prescribed ,in respect
of tests· and tria.Iswith'different kinds of plants: · ·' · . ·_
- {6) The registrar ' may· submit propagating material :· i:>f a
variety in respect of which application for a plant' breeder's
right' has been made to hiiri, to the appropriate 'a uthority in a
convention country or an ·agreement country in order to have
the necessary tests and trials undertaken · therewith; and the
registrar shall accept the results of any sucli'tests or trials which
such authority may furnishto hini. . . ·..
·.' ~ ' ' • -~ _.-... 1 ; ·~- '

' 20. (I) 'If. the regi~trar,' afte(corisideririg . ~n application ~in Grant of plant
I

ternis ·of section 19 and. examining' the . results of any tests ·or breeder's right.
trials conducted with the variety in question, is' of the opinion_;_
. : .. (a) . that the application confornis. to the requirements 'o f
' · thisAct; · · ., . . · · ·· ':
(b)' that the applicant is entitled. under this. Act to niake
the application; and ' . . '" ; . ' .. : ::· ; . . '
(c) · that the variety is a new variety arid that it conforms
to therequirements of this'"Act, • · · · • ·· ·. - ·
he shall grant a plant breeder's right in resJ)ect of such new
variety. · · · ·· · · · · ' .
· (2) The_ registrar shall in respect of each ·piant:breeder's
right granted-· ·. ·: · ,. , , ·· · - · · : ·.
(a) issue a certificate of registtation in respect thereof to
·•· the person wh9 applied f?r the grant of the !ight; .
(b) enter the applicable particulars referred to m section
4 (1) in the register; and · · ·. '-
(c) by notice in the :Gazette · publish ·such· particulars
to
· relating the grant of such right as may be prescribed.
GOVERNMENT.GAZETTE; 24 MARCH 1976 . ' No. S027 23

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS ACf, 1976 . Act No. 15, 1976

'(3) (a) If.the·registrar refuses the ~ grant.of a plant: breeder's

.. . .·:.· right, he' shall in writing advise the person who applied
for the right of his 'decision and of the· grounds on
·: . .· --,_which it is based, and shaU,':subjectto the provisions
·• .- .-: ofparagraph'(b), by riotice in the Gazette.publish such
. .. ·: particulars relating to the refusal as ·m ay.be prescribed.
•: ' !!'I (b)'- The ·grounds~on~ which the decision is based' shall not
:" _-· ' ., be published in ·thcnaid :noti~e · nor be open· ,for ·in-
! :•' . . , ~ spection except by ()i"der Of a'court: '::l•i; ;!~;I ;·--.: '~i . ' ·' ;
~- i (r ' )'_.' f !;~ -~~ ~· , .~ · -~ -~~

21. (1) A plant breeder's ·right -·shall,'' subject'' to earlier Limitation or.
termination under this Act,' be granted for the ·period prescribed p_lant breeder's _.
iii respect
I .·
ofthe_kind
, ... , . . . .
ofplant
.
in question; which period shall- nght.
l. . - ~ ~ .. . ' • . , • , • •

~ :, , (a); i~ the .case _ ofafruiqre~ o~ ~ny,_r9ot-stock thereof,

·· · , ··. any ornamental tree~· any _vlne or any root~stock thereof
. ''.or any forest tree, be not less than .l8:years·and not
::' 'i;: •·• ·_··:~ore.~han,25years; and-. _: · ..: ' :·· .;· :·::. ,.,: ;.
· · (b) ·m the case ofany ~ther kind of plant, be·not less than
.. ...,. 15 yearS:imd ~ot rno~e'than 20_yeais_. :: •· ' , .
>: (2) .The' period .refe'rred 'to'iri 'subsecti(ih.(i) shali calculated.
from the .date . on which .a ..certificate .of registration. is issued
be
tinder' paragraph (iz) of section 20 (2): " _·. . ' .. .
•• ,- ' ' ' ' 0 ' • o' '· 0 ' ' ·' • . , lo o \ \ 0 • ·, ,
! •:
• J

r , ·.···, ' 't . ·. :. :

· · 22~ (I) A;Persori to 'whom a plant breeder's. right has been Payment of
g·ra:nted shall, :during the currency of such righti annually pay annual fee.
to the registrar the annual fee prescribed in respect of such right;
, (2) (a) .The first such annual fee shall payable on or before be
. · 1 January of the year following the date on·wllich _a
·_ · . plant breeder's right .is granted; and .any. subsequent .
annual fee shall be paid before 1January of each year.
(b) The registrar. shall, subject to the payment of such
, additional fees as may be prescribed, upon application
,; extend the time for the payment of an annual fee for
a period not exceeCiing 6 months : or for periods. the ·
, .. . aggregate of which does not exceed 6 months~ · · ·..·
I -· : · ' I

' :23. d) Th'e ~ff~ct~'Mthe, protectidn givei(urider'·tius Act by Rights of holder

the grant'ofa'plant breeder's right shall be thatprior authority ~fplant breeder's
shall during the cufiencY, :of the right be· obtained ·oy way of nght.
licenCe under section 25 or 27 by any person- ·.; ., .:,; - ._ . '
(a) to undertake · the .production, !_saie; import into or
. . . export from the Republic of propagating _material of
:· . : _the:relevantnew variety; and ~;:: : .· ·.- .., . ,;
.. ' (b) : to: use the new variety... in question in· developing a
. hybrid or a different variety of that kind of plant.
(2) Notwithstanding -~ the proyisioris of subsection :(1), the
holder of a plant breeder's right shall during the period which
the Minister. may prescribe as a period for _the exercise of sole
rights in respect of the kind of plant to which such new variety
belongs, have the sole _right to undertake with· regard' to .the
relevant new·variety any activity' referred to· in that subsection
orto hilVe such activity undertaken by any other person. · --' ·
an
' '(3) Iish'ail ·not be' infringementof aplant breeder's. right if
a person who ' procured any propagating material of a new
variety in a manner· which •does not itifringe any right 'o f the
holder of_the relevant plant breeder's right-:- · , , ,; ' : , .
- . : (a) · resells' it; • , . ,, : ~· ,· , · .; ; : ,. ._·
.. (b) sells . any '-plant, propagating ; material or . product
· · · derived therefrom for purposes other than the further
··-· .. :·propagation or multiplicationthereof; or .
.. tc) us~~ or rimltipl.iesit in the_development of hybrid 'o~ a
· . ' ·, a· different vanety or ·for purposes of any other bona
., _- , ·.'fide_ ,re:search: Provi~d that the repeated use.-with?ut
· · the necessary authonty, of the relevant propagatmg
GOVERNMENT GAZEITE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. 5027 2S

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS Acr; 1976 Act No. 15, 1976

. · material for the commercial production of: a different

:variety, shall constitute ·an : •nfringement ··of· a plant
=

· ·breeder'sright.. , .. . . =· · ' ~ ,,·,' :.. : : ,.,, .., ·.:,·: · .,

(4) Notwithstanding.the provisions of subseCtion (3)'(b), an
ornamental plant in respect of which a plant breeder's right has
been granted ·and. any part thereof which is normally sold for
purposes - other · than· multiplication thereof, , shall ,erijoy ·the
protection of such right wheri it is used commercially as propa-
gating materialin the production of such ornamental plant or
of a cut flower. : . •.. .. ' : ' ·· · · . ··
i . '24. (1) The 'of'~{plant 'b'ree'd e;'s 'ri~t shall erisure' that Maintena~ce of
h6Ider
he is in a positioi{during the currency of the right-.:. . .. : . ' ; . repro~uctlVe
. : (a) to furnish the· registrar on request with propagating matenal.
· · materiid of.the variety ird:espeetof which the right
was 'gninted a'nd. which. is capable· of ·reproducing the
; . said·variety iii such' a .Iriarinet that.the,moq,hologi~
·~ : cat,. physiological' and .other!. characteristics thereof
>.:.!
' correspond with those descrioed . at . the. time of the
grant of the relevant right; · · · · . · · ·· · · . · .
. l (b) on request to give to the registrar the information and
•

to accord him the facilities deemed 'necessarY' by' him

· to satisfy. himself. that "such holder is maintaining
. propiigatirig'material ,which' conforins to the require-
. rrients referred toin'paragraph (a). ,. . •. . ' ' . ' .. .
· (2) The registrar'maYurioertake any inspection'inconnection
with any matter referred to in subsection (1) which he nuiy deem
necessary.
• .'~f •.•. ', .I, ~- ; j ·:,·, · : ~ : · 4 _, ;_; ' , •' ·~-~~ ...... ·. ,'! ~ .\~

a
· 25. (1) The holder of · plarit> breeder's. righ{ 'may. at' the Liceri~~ .. ,.
request in writing of another. p'e rson. grant to 'such person a'
licence in terms of which such person may be authorized to'
und~rtake'any'activity referred to ~t:t section 23 (1). : ·. .' ' :. ..
(2) The licence may include conditions regarding....::........ . . ': '· .·
. (a) . the quantity of propagating material"of the,'relevant
.. . ,; , , varie~~ to be_~upplied to the hold~r: _o~ the.l.icenee,:,and.
. . the pnce thereof: . .. . . . .· . · . . . <. •• • , .

~· .• (b) . the ~oyal.t~es· i)ay~bl~.)~ ~espec~ of th~ ,e~ploit<ltion : 9~

... ' . . . thehcence; ,.. , . ;1, ,: ,, . .. . . .' ~ · · . .. ·.. . . co! . ! . • .
,· (c)~ the '.infonriation·to be· furnished to the. holder,· of the
· · ·. ,. .,. . rdevimt"plant breeder's. right regarding the extent to
· · which' the' licei1ee is being exploited; . : . , ; :, ; , . ·
. ·_,. (d) the period of validity of the)icence, which"shall'not
.· '. ·'exceed the'terin oftherelevant.breeder~s right;' ..
·, ... (e)· the transferthereof;; : · : " ·. :·. ·: .: •· · · .~. ·
;·;.(f) the i>;ti~itive ~ea~uresapplica~le:w!th refer~~ce 1 to any
. . condttton whtch ts not complied With; .and .. ·.
. (g) ariy other matte(whichthe parties' niay. agree to.
. .(3) ·The holder .of a plan(.br¢eder's · 'right 'shall. 'wit~in .the
prescr~bed period notify the registrar in such form and, :manner
~s .may,; pe prescribed; ,of each. licence issued by him.under this
section,. and shall furnish the registrar with a copy of.each such
liceJ1ce.:. . .....'. :- .. ,·,, ... i ·· ,,, .. i•
(4) During the period which the Minister prescribes under
section 23 (2) as a period for the exercise ·o f sole rights'in respect
of the kind of plant to. which a new. variety belongs, the registrar
shall not issue a compulsory licence in respect of that.variety in
terms of section 27. ·
·· · •t · · r -,
'· 26. ·(I) Any person''who isofthe ,opinion thafthe holder of Application for
. a plant breeder's right un'reasoriably refuses to ·grant him a f.ompulsory
licence under section 25, or that such a holder is imposing Icence.
unreasonable 1conditions ifor'the'issue· of such a licerice, ·may
. upon paYJiterii: of the prescribed fee apply: the registn\r for· to
the issue· to him 'of a compulsory ·licence ·in . respect of the•
relevant plant breeder's right on the ground thatthe reasonable
requirements of the public with regard .to the new ,variety in
question are not being satisfied or will not be satisfied.
GOVERNMENT GAZElTE,'24 MARCH 1976 No. S027 27

PLANT"1JREEDERS' RIGHTS A,Cf, 1976 Act No. 15, 1976 :'

· ·: (2) 'An application made. in terms of subsection (1) shall set

out' the reasons why the person i::oiiceriled considers the refusal
or conditions cOntemplated in subsection (1) to be unreasonable,
and the registrar may require the application·to be substantiated
by such'proofas·hemay deem necessary• . ;; ): · ~ J. i , • · !
(3) A person making ·such application shall·serve.·a copy of
any ·document: and . other ..proof lodged· with ·the ·: registrar :in
terms of subsections {I) and (2) on 'the· holder of-therrelevant
plant:breeder's right, andishall furnish the registrar.:with prciof
of the service thereof.' : · •: _., ~~~ ', 'i. ·~ • • .-~-. · : . · •. ~, : :j "· . r •• ~
(4) The holder of such plant breeder's right may, within 60
days•from the date of the receipt·ofthe 'documents •and other
proof referred to· in subsection (3), or Within' such further time
as' the ·registrar may allow, :lodge a counter-statement with the
registrar in which are set·. out the partieula:ts : of any ~ ground
upon which he contests the· appliCation in question.i : i ; · ·
·: •(S) The·.holder :or such :plarit breeder's ~right . shall serve. a
copy:of:the counter-statement ·on::the :person who made the
application · and :shall furnish -the registrar ·with :proof, of the
service thereof; ;. ' .. - . l ! • . . ' . . . ' ' . ' . . . : . : < '- ·. . . -~
.· (6)· If the person who made the application and.the holder of
the relevant-plant breeder's:tight at·any stage after.:the ·appli-
cation has been lodged with· the registrar,.reach ,an agreement
with regard to the issile of a licence, the person who made the
application·shall inform the registrar of the agreement, where·
up~ntheapplieationshal_Ilapse.'·' " ' '- \-; ·, · · ': '''>' · ·! . ; ' • "
;" · .~ ~; . ·_~ .;_. ·_~ . · ·,. _: ,. . . ~ -· · ! _.: · ., 41 : ~· :: : · . . ;· : . .
.-· .·· .~ l ; · _. :• ~ r ,: J . - · _, j _: · • : • • • : ;; , • I~ .• ~ · !; : ~ ~-.--._;]_: ··_;l ·• · .. .. .!
· ...~ 27. · (1): Ait application under section.26 shall be heard on the Grant of
date and at the place· and time fixed bf the registrar, who shall f.ompulsory
advise' the peri on who made the application and the holder of lcence.
the plant breeder's right in writing thereof~·: . ·;: :,: · .: .:,_~ • . +
(2) The provisions of sections 18 (2)~ (3), .(4)> (5) and .(6)
shall mutatis mutandis apply with reference to the hearing of
the application~· - .., ·. • · · ··. ·.:··.>. ·. : : ·.· : ,·; . · 'l ' · .• ··
, (3) If the registrar .i is , satisfied· that. .the holder. of a ·plant
breeder's right is unreasonably refusing a· licence under section
25. or imposing unrea5onable~ conditions for the issue thereof;
and is satisfied that, as a re5ult of such refusal or such conditions,
the reasonable requirements of the public with regard tolthe
neW variety in question 'are not being satisfied or Will ·not be
satisfied, he may issue a coinpulsoryJicence-
(a) which shall include the conditions :referred to in
··· :~. .._..: paragraphs (a) up to and in~luding(f) ofsection·2s (2),
'· . .' · ;·and such other conditions as the registrar may deter-
.-~ :mine; .. ... ._::· ·. :-. · ! r· ~ -· : :4i ~_ i:-·c :~- : · t ·: .. .-.·
:. (b) :which. may at any tiine be ·revlewed by: the registrar
·• ·• ·· •: by: reason 1of representations ·:made. to ·him for the
: . ···amendment or withdrawal thereof•. , ; :. ·; ..:: . ·: , ·
·(4) .In settling the terms ofa compulsory
shall endeavour to ensure that propagating material of, the
the registrar licenee
variety in·question shall be available to the public·at reasonable
prices· consistent ·With the : holder of: a . plant breeder's, right
derivingarea:sonableadvantagetherefrom.'J .' ··: ~ -,; . .. ~ ; :,
(S) (a) A compulsory licence may-be granted -to any pel'Son
whether or not the holder of the relevant plant
: · : ...:: breeder's right. has granted a licence:undet sectioni25
·- ., ·; .toanyotherperson> ·.. -• :, ~ ' ::t. .· ·;. ; ·:. : :' , ic._; .::
(b) . The issue of a compulsory .licence shall ;not prevent
· . . ! , the holder. of the plant. breeder's right from granting
additional licences in terms of section 25. ·':.- ;· ! • ·
.: 1 -'. ~· ' f'" •.":·, . ' ·~ -
. ··.-~~;·
·_ _~:~.:
.
: • ' ·• · :~ ': ,· f t '_ · :_ i ; .• ,.,_ ••;, '1''
- 28. {I) Where a plant breeder's right is; after the commence- Joint holders"of .. · :
nient .of this Act; granted to two or more persons jointly, each P.~t breeder's ·: .
such· person shall,·. subject·. to ariy written agreement to the n ~
contrary between them,' be entitled-:· , " · · ·· :
. (a) to an equal share in such right;
GOVERNMENT GAZEITE, 24 MARCH 1976 .. No,'S027, 29

PLANT BREEDERS'. RIGHTS ACr,1976 Act No. 15, 1976 ::

(b). to ·undertake in coimection ' therewith·: fo·r his ·. own

.. ·.· · · benefit any activity referred to· in section 23 ( 1), if he
· disCloses any_such activity:to the·otherjoint holders;
·. •and· . •') :.· .· · t :- : ··.: •::>· · :·.:·_.··, :·::: ::.: ..
(c) . to institute ali'y' action iif respect•'ofanyinfringement
. '- ·. _ of~hat_right:· ':', · ; : ~' ,·· ~- :.=.::. ;._ -,::, :.'·',· · ·. ': · ,
a
(2) A joint holder of plant breeder's right:shall·not without
the consentof theoth~r jointholders be entitled~ .: .:-·. - . ~ .' 1
·· (a) to grant a licence uridet section 25;or J . ..•. ~~-·· < . ::
(b) to transfer the whole or any part'of'his'' 1nterest'in
. · such right; . . ,, -. , ·•. :. ,,l ·
(3) Where ~n action is f~u_nded ·on.·the sale. of any ·propa-
gating material bya.joint holder.of .a ; plant breede(s right,
such joint holder' shall for the purposes of the action be deemed
to be the sole holder of the plant breeder's right..: -, · .•
(4) The court may upon the applieation of any joint holder
of a plant breeder's right and after giving .to any other joint
holder_of the · right .an· opportunity of being heard, give any
direction with regard to the transfer of the right or any part
thereof, or with regard to the grant of any licence in respect of
the right, or with regard to .the .use and -development of the
right, as appears just and expedient, and each joint holder shall
give effect to any such direction~ ;,..-· · _· _ · ' ;.: ·
.· (5) -If any person who is required to give effect to any direction
under subsection (4) fails; within the period deterriiined by the
court or, failing such a determination, after.being requested in
writing to do so by any joint holder of the relevant right, to
execute-any instrument or to do any act or thing required· to
give effect to .the direction; the court may empower any person
to execute the instrument in question or·to do the act or thirig
in· question· in ·the name :of and on behillf of· the peisori · so
failing. · · · · ' . .. . · •
.i .· · , •

-~' 29. (1) The h~lder of a'plant breeder's right under this' Act Transfer of •
or the Plant Breeders' Rights Act, 1964 (Act 22 of 1964); shall, ri~btt breeders
within the prescribed pedodafter such right or any partthereof · .
has been transferred to · another person and in the form arid
manner ·prescribed arid ,upori payment of the prescribed fee-
....,: (a} inform' the registrar of the .n:ame and address ofthe
. . . . person to whom'the right or part thereof has been
. transferred; and . . ··- . ' .. .. . . . . . .'
(b) ·furnish the registrar .with proof that a notice ·of such
. . · transfer has been served on every_person licensed in
· respect of that right. ·', ·L-- · : :·· · : ~. • · • .- .. ~:.J .t •.i . ~ ~: · <·'
'(2) A person ·to whom a plant breeder's right or. any part
thereof his been transferred shall, if he appoints an agent with
respect to such right, within the•prescribed period and in the
form and manner prescribed; inform the registrar of the mime
and address of such agent. .. . \. . . ' '' i

· (3) The registrar .shall by notice iri the Gazette publish such
particulars relating to a transfer of a : plant breeder's right of
.
which- he is informed under. this section;
.
as may
.· .
be- prescribed.
.: ; : .

, \ • ,'\ • f' I

30. (1) Subject to the provisions or. subsection (2). a plant State bound by
breeder's right shall in all respects bind the State in the same way P,la;:t breeder's
as it binds any other person. .. ·r ng t •.
(2) No fees. payable under this Act shall · be payable by the
State.
. :_ ~
' '
31•.(l) (a(rhe l\1iniste~ - .ro'~y by . notice.. in' )~6- _Gaz~ite State may take
. · declare that the plant breeder's nght m any new over plant .
. .. . .variety of a kind of plant shall, ·as from a date deter- breeder's nght.
· , ,mined by, him and published. in the same or a later
notice in the Gazette, be taken over by the State.
GOVERNMENt' GAZETTE; 24 MARCH 1976 . No: 5027 31

· PLANT BREEDERS• RIGHTS Acr, 1976

; : · (b)·.::As ;from the date determined:under'patagraph '(a) all

·· ··· ··· ~. rights 'and -liabilities '·pertaining· to ·the ·said plant
breeder's right shall be deemed to have'been trans-
) •· i · ferred to the Shite, and. such lights shall as from that

· . :: date vest in the <Minister on behalf of the State.

(2) The Minister shall pay the person who was :the holder of
the plant breeder's right in question immediately prior to the
date referredto in ~ubsectio·n (1) (a),'stich compensation as may
be ~gre:d ,upon or, failing; agreem~nt, :as ,may. be. ·settled by
arbttratton•.. ·, · 'J ' ,. r ., ·; · · ' ' ' :· : · : ; ••• ·.') · ' ! ·, •.

·: ~: ;~~. i· ..~:; ~:· ~ .c-·:

: 32. ( 1) The _denomination approved in respect of a new Alterat.ion _of
variety may be, altered or supplemented by,the registrar- denommation.
: , ; (a): if ordered by the court on the ·a:pplieation of a person
'.r: .· • . who-in law. has a !preferent cJaim·tO the ·USe Of the
_ designation in question; .,:
. " . (b) , on ,theapplication of the ,holder: :.<>f a plant breeder's
. ... right in that variety; , :. . ; . ,, ::. :,, ;_.
.. (c). if .the.information submitted to th~ : registrar in the
application for the approval of, or inconnection with,
, .. ,:...,.,the denomination in question was incorrect and the
' · ' registrar is of the opinion, that such denomination
would not have been approved had lie knoWn that such
' information was incorrect; or .. . ... ' _: ·, ~ ~. . . .
: · · (d) if ·information comes to light· which~: if ·disc<>vered
. . 'i . earlier, . would irt the, opinion 'of the 'registrar' have

· • · ·.: resulted in the refusalof such denomination:' ' ·

·' (2);An application referred to in subsection· (1) (b) shall be
made to the registrar in the form and manner prescribed arid
shall be accompanied. by:the prescribed application fee:.· · ·, ·
. :. (3) If an alteration or supplementation becomes necessary on
a ground referred to .in· paragraph ·(c) or .(d) of subsection· (1),
the registrar .shall in .writing inform the holder.of the .relevant
plant breeder's right thereof and give the _grounds on- which
the alteration or supplementation is deemed necessary, and such
holder shall stibmit pr9posals' for .an:, ·alteration or supple-
mentation within 60 dajrs from the date of the notice to him."
(4) If the registrar intends approving any proposal for · the
alteration·. or;supplementation ·of a denomination urider. sub-
section (1) (b):or (3), he shall. by notice in the Gazette publish
such particulars relating to the intended alteration or supple·
.mentation as may be prescribed..; i ,. - . .. , , . • . _, .. · ,
(5) ·Any person may within .3 inonths: froin ..tlie .date ;of. the
publication ofparticulars urider subsection (4) and on payment
of the prescribed fee, Jodge'with the registrar a .written objection
to the grant of the alteration 'or supplenieritatiori;,in. question,
and the registrar may require the objection to be substatitfated
by such proof as he may deem necessary. . ..,· ., ..: : . . . -
. '! ,(6) .The 'registrar may, 'aftei".corisi~ei"ing any objection .lodged
under. subsection·' (5), :. approve' . the :. proposed .. alteration 'or
'supplementation;· and:shall by notice· inlhe Gazette publish 'the
prescribed. particulars relating .to .an . alteration or supplerileri-
tatioitsl'approved.' > .. :; ·_. ·, . . ', · ·, ... , . :.. · · • •:;·.~ .. .
· (7) The registrar shall forthwith · publish .by· 'notice :iri' the
Gazette the prescribed particulars· relating· to an alteration ·or
·supplementation ordered under s1lbsectio·n·(l)(a). ·•· : .. -~ · ·
· · . ... · , J f:' .'/ ··. . :! .... ! •. ·. ;!_.• -~ ·- ,, .- ~~·-l ' · ;· · :.•;\· , ~ - ~U i '-·.. ... :: • ·,. · . .-·

33. (1) A plant breeder's right shall terminate upon the expiry Termination of
of the period prescribed in re~pect thereof under secti~:m 21 . . ~Ia~~ breeder•s
-{; ~ (2) ·.T he registrar may termmate a plant- breeder's nght. pnor g •. · ·· · · ·
,fo .the·: termination i ~on~emplated· in ·subs~tiorr · (1)> : if he .·i s
sabsfied--r -, .•··!<.·• · .•, , _. .;-, .. · , .. .r;. ,... ' ·· •·
• :.··(a). thai ·any;information ~ubmitted to hiin ;in 'the appli-
cation for such a tighf or iri connection with such an
application, was incorrect and that such a right would
not, have. been , granted if he . had known1 that ,the
informationwasincorrect; :· -·• :·; . ;; ·:
GOVERNMENT GAZETIE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. 5027 33

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGIITS ACf, 1976 Act No. IS, 1976

(b) that information has ccinie to light which, if discovered

earlier, would have resulted in the right being refused;
(c) that priority sh~uld be given under sectio~ 8 to any
other application for the grant . of a plant breeder's
right in the same variety;
(d) that the holder of the right refuses or has failed or is
not in a position to furnish the registrar with propa-
gating material of the relevant variety which conforms
to the requirements of paragraph (a) of section 24 (1);
(e) that the holder of the right has failed·to comply with
any request under paragraph (b) of section 24 (1), or
that he has prevented the registrar from undertaking
an inspection referred to in section _24 (2); · ·
(f) that the holder of the right refuses or has failed or is
not in a position to submit a proposal for an alteration
or a supplementation of a denomination after having
been requested to do so under section 32 (3);
(g) that the annual fee under section 22 was not paid
within the time referred to in that section. ·· ·
· (3) The registrar shall in writing advise the holder of the plant
breeder's ·right in question and the holder of any licence issued
under section 27 or with respect to which. a notification has been
given under section 25 (3), of his intention to terminate a plant ..
breeder's right under subsection (2) and of the grounds therefor.
(4) Any holder referred to in subsection (3) may, within 60
days from the date of the advice under that subsection or within
such further time as the registrar may allow, upon payment of
the prescribed fee lodge with the registrar an objection against
the intended termination of the plant breeder's right in question.
(5) The provisions of sections 17 (3) and 18 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5)
and (6) shall mutatis mutandis apply with reference to such an
objection. · · ·
(6) The registrar shall publish the termination under sub-
section (1) or (2) of a plant breeder's right by notice in the
Gazette. · ·
(7) A certificate of registration issued u~der paragraph (a) of
section 20 (2) shall, within the prescribed period, be returned to
the registrar by the holder thereof when the relevant plant
breeder's. right terminates or is terminated under this section.

34. (1) The holder of a plant breeder's right may at any time Voluntary
notify the registrar in the prescribed manner and upon payment surrender of
of the prescribed fee that he is surrendering such right, and such p.Ja{At breeder's
holder shall furnish the registrar with proof that a copy of such ng •
notification has been served on any person licensed with respect ·· '
to that right and on any other interested person.
(2) The registrar shalt by notice in the Gazette publish such
particulars relating to the surrender as may be prescribed~ . ..
. . .
35. If any propagating material of a variety in respect of Marking of
which a plant breeder's right has been granted is sold for pur- labels. or
poses of propagation, the denomination of that variety shall contamers.
clearly and legibly appear on a label attached thereto, or, if it is
packed, on the container• .

36. (1) The registrar may authorize-

(a) the correction of any clerical error or error in trans- Correction of
lation appearing in any plant breeder's right, the errors.
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. 5027 35

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGIITS ACT, 1976 Act No. 15, 1976

application for such a right or any document filed in

pursuance of such an application, or the register;
(b) the amendment of any document for the amendment
of which no express provision is made in this Act;
(c) the condonation or correction of any irregularity in
. procedure in any proceedings before him, if such
· condonation or correction is not detrimental to the
. interests of any person.
(2) The registrar may exercise the authority under subsection
(1) mero motu or upon request in writing. . _
· (3) Where the registrar intends exercising his authority under
subsection (1) mero motu, he shall give notice of his intention to
the holder of the plant breeder's right or the applicant for such
right, as the case may be, and to any other person who appears
to him to have an interest in the matter, and shall give such
holder, applicant or person an opportunity of being heard
before exercising his authority.

37. (1) (a) Whenever any discretionary power is given to _the Discretionary
· registrar by this Act he shall not exercise that power po..yer of
· in a manner adverse to an applicant or an objector or registrar.
other person who according to the register appears to
bean interested party, without giving such applicant,
objector or interested person an opportunity of being
heard within the time prescribed or, if no time has
been prescribed, .within such reasonable period as
shall be fixed by the registrar.. . · ·
ot.
(b) . An . applicant,·· objector other interested 'person
referred to in paragraph (a) may waive the right to be
heard. ·
(2) Whenever by this Act any time is. specified Within which
any act or thing is to be done, the registrar may, save where it is
expressly otherwise provided, extend the time either before or
after its expiration.

38. A defect in the form of any document which is in terms Defect in form
of any law required to be executed in a specific manner, or in a not to invalidate
notice issued in terms of this Act, shall not render unlawful an documents.
administrative action executed in respect of the matter to which
such document or notice relates, and shall not be a ground for
exception to any legal procedure which may be taken in respect
of such matter, if the requirements and meaning thereof are
substantially and intelligibly set forth. ·

· 39. (1) All documents lodged with the registrar in connection Preservation and
with plant breeders' rights and any application for such rights proof of
shall, subject · to the provisions of subsection (3), be preserved documents.
for the prescribed period. . . .
(2) Any document referred to' in subsection (1) which in the
opinion of the registrar inay lie for inspection by the public,
shall upon payment of the prescribed fees be open for inspection
during office hours at the office· of the registrar, and copies
thereof shall on request and upon payment of the prescribed
fees be furnished to any person. · · · ·
(3) Where an application for the grant of a plant breeder's
right has been withdrawn, . the registrar · shall return all the
papers submitted in connection with the .application, to the
applicant at the address indicated in. the application or, if this
is not practicable, destroy them ·after expiry of the prescribed
period. · .
• (4) The provisions of section 5 (3) shall mutatis mutandis
apply with reference to all documents lodged with the registrar.
GOVERNMENT GAZEITE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. 5027 37

.
PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS Acr, 1976 Act No. 15, 1976

40. No person shall, except- Secrecy.

(a)· tc> the Minister, the board, the reg1strar or any other
person for the purpose of carrying out his duties or
the performance 'of his functions under this Act;
(b) to a police official for the puipose of an inquiry
relating to the enforcement of the provisions of this
Act; or ·
. (c) when required ·t o d~ so by any court or un.der any law,
disclose any information acquired by him in the carrying out
·or his duties or· the performance of his· functions under this
, Act in relation to any new variety for which an application for
the grant of a plant breeder's right has been made, or in relation
to the business affairs of an applicant.

41. The proprietor or other re~stered user of a trade mark Trade marks.
registered in terms of the Trade Marks Act; 1963 (Act 62 of
1963), may, on the conditions, prescribed, use such mark in
conjunction with the denomination of a new variety in respect
of which a plant breeder's right has been granted in terms of
this Act. ··

42•.(1) A person who feels. aggrieved by any decision or Ap~lagainst :

action taken by the registrar in terms of this Act may, within de;.lslonfofu . . ·.
the period and in the manner prescribed and upon payment of ~~~~ c · .
the prescribed fees, appeal to the Minister against the decision ·
or action in question. ·
(2) (a) The Minister shall refer the appeal for investigation
and decision to a board the members of which shall be
appointed by the Minister and which shall consist of-
(i) one person designated as chainnan on account of
his knowledge oflaw; · ' ·
(ii) two persons who in the opiriion of the Minister
· have expert knowledge of the subject of the appeal.
(b) A person. appointed under subparagraph (ii) of para-
, graph (a) shall be disqualified as a member of the board
if he has any direct or indirect personal interest in the
· outcome of the appeal. · . . .. . · .
(3) (a) The provisions of sections 18 (l), (3), (4) and (5) shall
mutatis mutandis apply with reference to an appeal.
(b) The registrar shall be entitled to be represented at an
·appeal by an advocate or an attorney or by a patent
agent registered under section 89 of the Patents Act,
1952 (Act 37 of 1952).
(4) If a person appointed under subsection (2) (a}-
(a) dies during the investigation of the appeal or so soon
before the commencement of the investigation· that
the vacancy cannot be filled in time;
(b) is unable to act and another person cannot be ap-
pointed in time; or · · · _. ..
(c) is, after the investigation has commenced, unable to
continue therewith,
.the parties may agree that the investigation be continued by
the remaining members, in which event, where the member who
bas died or has become incapacitated was or is the chairman
of the board, the Minister shall designate one of the remaining
members to act as chairman. . .
(S) (a) If the parties do not agree under subsection (4}, the
investigation shall be adjourned in order that the
- Minister may appoint a member, in accordance with
the -requirements of subsection (2) (a), in the place of
the member who has died or has become incapacitated.
(b) Where an appointment bas been made under paragraph
(a), the investigation shall, if the parties so agree, be
GOVERNMENT GAZETIE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. S027 39

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS Acr, 1976 Act No. 15, 1976

. continued as from the stage at which the investigation

.. was interrupted by the death or incapacitation of a
· member, or shall, if the parties do •not so agree, be
· commenced de novo. ·
(6) The board may after investigation of the appeal~
(a} confimi, set· aside or ·vary the relevant decision or
action of the registrar;
(b) order the registrar to execute the decision of the board
in connection therewith. · - ·
(7) (a) The decision of the board .shall be i~ ~ting, and a
copy thereof shall be furnished to the registrar, the
appellant and any other party.
(b) No appeal shall lie against the decision of the board .
. (8) If the board sets aside any decision or action by the
registrar, the prescribed fees paid by the appellant in respect of
the appeal in question shall be refunded to him, or, if the board
varies any such decision or action, it may in its discretion direct
that the whole or any part of ·such fees be refunded to the
appellant. ·
'·

. 43. (1) The grant of a plant breeder's right shall not be Common
refused and such right shall not be terminated prior to the expiry :-~~~~of
thereof if the applicant for or the holder of such right, in in certain
pursuance of allegations that the new variety in respect of which circumstances
such right has been applied for or granted was at the time of not to frostra,tc
the application for the grant of such rigllt generally known or ~t;hlt breeders
that the existence thereof was a inatter of common knowledge, ·
proves- .. . . .
(a) that the cultivation of the new variety had been under-
.. taken orily for the purposes of tests and trials with a
viewto the technical evaluation thereof;
(b) that the inclusion of such variety in an official list of
varieties or an application for such inclusion which is
under consideration or the inclusion. of such variety
in a reference collection, arises from the results of
tests and trials referred to in paragraph (a);
(c) that the exhibition thereof at an exhibition or a. reading
of a paper in connection therewith before an audience ·
or the publiCation of ·such paper or other technical
information in connection therewith, arises from the
results of tests and trials referred to in paragraph (a);
or
(d) that anything n6ferred to in paragraph (a}, · (b) or (c)
was done by another person without his prior authority
or consent. · ·
. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), the
registrar may reject the proof referred to in that subsection if he
is satisfied that the applicant or ·holder in question failed to
take all reasonable steps to protect his rights within a reasonable
time-:- . . .
(a) in the case of the cultivation referred to in subsection
-(1) (a), after the commencement of such cultivation; or
(b) .· in the case of subsection (1) (d), after the act in question
by such other person was first brought to his notice.

44. (1) The Mi~ster may make regulations- Regulations.

(a) prescribing any certificate or other document or form
to be issued or used for the purposes of this Act;
(b) prescribing the fees payable in respect of any appli-
cation, matter ordocument; .· ' .
(c) prescribing the scale of remuneration which shall be
paid to a person appointed in terms of section 18 (2);
GOVERNMENT GAZETIE, 24 MARCH 1976 No.S027 41

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGIITS ACf, 1976 Act No. 15,.1976

(d) prescribing the scale of remuneration which shall be

paid to any member of a board appointed in terms of
section 42 (2);
(e) prescribing the information and facilities to be pro-
vided to the registrar by an applicant for a plant
breeder's right, and the reproductive material to be
submitted at the time of an application and thereafter;
(f) prescribing the tests,' trials;' examinations_ and other
steps to be taken by an applicant or the registrar before
a plant breeder's right may be granted, and the time
. within which they are to be taken;.· ·· ,
(g) prescribing the ·records' ' relating · to reproductive
material for sale, multiplication or export to be kept
by any person who has such material in his possession
. or under his control, the form and manner in which
they are to be kept, and how and to whom they shall
be available for inspection; . _" -,
. (h) .concerning any matter which in terms of this Act is
required or permitted to be prescribed; and
(i) concerning, generally, any matter which he considers
necessary or expedient to prescribe in order that the
objects and purposes of this Act may be better achieved,
the generality of the powers conferred· by.· this para-
graph not being limited · by the provisions of the
preceding paragraphs.
· ·(2) Different regulations maY be made in teriris of this section
in respect of different classes or groups· of plants_ or. in respect
of different kinds of plants or in such other respects as the,
Minister may determine. · · · · · ·
· (3) The regulations may in respect of any contravention
thereof or failure to comply therewith prescribe a penalty not
exceeding a fine of two hundred rand or imprisonment for a
period not exceeding six months. ·
.. (4) A regulation prescribing any fees shall be made only
after consultation with the Minister of Finance. .

45. (1) Any person- ' . · _ -· · -· · · Offences and

· (a) who m~kes a false entry in the register or ~auses it to penalties.
be made therein, or who makes a writing or causes a
writing to be made which falsely purports to be a copy
of an entry in the register or of a document lodged
with the registrar, or who produces or tenders or
causes to be produced or tendered as evidence .any
such entry or any such copy; .
(b) who, for the purpose of deceiving the registrar or any
officer in the administration of any provision of this
Act, or who, for the purpose of procuring or influencing
· the ·doing or omission of anything in relation to this
Act or any matter thereunder, makes a false statement
or representation knowing it to be false;
(c) who obstructs or hinders the registrar or any officer
in the exercise of his powers or the carrying out of
his functions under this Act; · · . · · ·
(d) who; having been .duly summoned to. appear at any
· proceedings under. this Act, fails \vithout lawful
excuse so to appear; ·
(e) ·who, having appeared as a witness at any proceedings
under this Act, refuses without lawful excuse to be
. .sworn or to make affirmation or to produce any
.. document or answer any question which he may be
lawfully required to produce or answer;
(f) who falsely represents that propagating material sold
by him for the purpose of propagation or multipli-
cation is propagating material of a variety in ·respect
. GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. S027 43

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS ACT, 1976 Act No. 15, 1976

of which a plant breeder's right has been granted under
this Act, ·or that the propagating material originates
from such a variety; . ·· · · . • . · .· ·
. (g) who, at the sale of propagating matetial for the purpose
of propagation or multiplication, uses a denomination
therefor which is different from the denomination
registered in terms of this Act for the variety in question
· or uses the registered denomination of another vaiiety
. of the same kind of plant or uses ·a denomination which
corresponds so closely to a · registered denomination
. that it is misleading; · · . .
(h) · who fails to ,comply with an undertaking referred ·to
in paragraph (b) of section 14 (2); . . ... .· .
(i) who, except in the circumstances referred to in' section
40, discloses information acquired by him in the course
' ' · of his- duties ·or in the perforinarice .of his functions
. under this Act, . . ~· ·· • · .
· shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conViction- · ·
·· · · (i) in . the case of ·a cOntravention referred ,to in
paragraph (a) or (b), to a fine not exceeding one
thousand rand or to imprisoriiD.ent for a period
.. not exceeding two years or to both such fine and
· such imprisonment; or · . . ·
(ii) in . the case of a contravention ·referred to in
paragraph (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h)or (i), to a fine
·not exceeding five hundred rand or to imprison·
ment for a period notexceeding one' year or to
· both such fine and such imprisonment. · ·
· . (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in iriy other
law, a magistrate's court shall have jurisdiction to impose any
penalty prescribed by this Act. · · . · · · · · · ., · · · · . · .·
46. (1) The registrar, or an officer who under the delegation, Prohibi.tion of
control or direction of the registrar exercises the powers, per· tffiffickmg by
forms the functions and· carries out the duties assigned to or 0 cers. · ·
imposed upon the registrar under this Act, shall be guilty of an ·
offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five
hundred rand or to imprisonment.for ·a period not exceeding
one year- ·· · ··
(a) if · he buys, sells, acquires; or traffics · in ariy . plant
breeder's right or an interest therein; .
(b) if he acquires, otherwise than .in the course of his
duties, or sells any ·propagating material of a variety
in respect of which a plant breeder's right has been
- granted or appliedfor.
(2) Any purchase, sale, acqUisition · or assignment of any
plant breeder's right by or to the registrar or any such officer
shall be of no force and effect. · . ·· . . ·
(3) Any reproductive material acquired by the registrar or
such an officer shall be forfeited to the State.
. · (4) . Nothing in this section contained shall apply to the
breeder of a new variety of a plant or to any acquisition by
bequest or devolution in_law.
' -
. · 47•. (1) .The holder of a plant breeder•s right may upon proof Compensation in
of an infringement of that right and without proof of damages rnfes~ect of t f
wbib c mt'ght anse • 1rom
roo
sueh'm fi' .
rmgement, · recover by action
. m • 1plant
nngemen o
breeder's
any competent court from the person who infringed the right right.
compensation in respect of such infringement in an amount
not exceeding five hundred rand.
(2) An action under subsection (1) shall be available to the
holder in lieu of any action for damages in any amount which
might arise from the relevant infringement
(3) An action referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall not
be instituted while the relevant plant breeder's right or variety
is the subject of- .
(a) an objection which in terms of this Act is to be deter-
. mined by the registrar; or
(b) an appeal which in terms of section 42 is to be decided
by the board.
GOVERNMENT GAZETIE, 24 MARCH 1976 No. 5027 45

PLANT BREEDERS' RIGHTS Acr, 1976 • Act No. 15, 1976

48. The Minister may either generally or in any particular Assignment of

case or in relation to particular property assign to any officer so\Yers and
of the department any power conferred or duty imposed upon M!i:.~l
him under this Act, other than a power referred to in section •
31 or 44. -
49. No compensation shall be payable by the State, the I;-im_i~tion of
Minister, the registrar or an officer in respect ofany act done habdJty.
in good faith under this Act.
50. (l) A patent granted with reference to a plant under the ?atents granted
Patents Act, 1952, before the commencement of this Act shall 11re:pectdof
not be liable to revocation except upon some ground on which ~:3~':,( f~s2.
it would have been liable to be revoked in terms of the provisions
of that Act and shall, unless it is so revoked, expire on the date
on which it would have expired in terms of the provisions of
that Act if the said provisions had continued to be applicable
,to plants, and all fees payable in respect of any such patent
shall continue to be payable as if this Act had not been passed.
(2) Any application for a patent in respect of a plant which
was received by the registrar of patents before the commence-
ment of the Plant Breeders' Rights Act, 1964 (Act 22 of 1964),
but which \Vas not disposed of prior to the commencement ofthat
Act, or any such application which was received by the registrar
of patents within 12 months after the coming into operation of
that Act and to which the provisions of section 95 of the Patents
Act, 1952, are applicable, shall be dealt with in all respects as
if this Act had not been passed, and the provisions of subsection
(l) shall mutatis mutandis apply with reference to any plant
patent granted in respect of any such application.
51. (1) A final or provisional plant breeder's right granted ~!ant breeder's
in terms of the provisions of the Plant Breeders' Rights Act, !IS~~rted
1964, before the comm~ncement of this Act, s_?.all be deemed to ~ct 22 ~F1964.
be a plant breeder's nght granted under this Act, and every
provision of this Act, other than the provisions of section 22,
shall mutatis mutandis apply with reference to any such plant
breeder's right. . -
(2) Any application for a plant breeder's right .which was
received by the registrar before the commencement of this Act
but in respect of which a final plant breeder's right was ..not
granted under section 15 of the Plant Breeders' Rights Act.
1964, before such commencement, shall be dealt with in all
respects as if this Act had commenced on the date of receipt of
such application.
52. The ,Plant Breeders' Rights Act, 1964 (Act 22 of 1964). Repeal oflaws•
. and the Plant Breeders' Rights Amendment Act, 1969 (Act 72
of 1969), are hereby repealed. ·
53. This Act shall be called the Plant Breeders' Rights Act, Short title and
1976, and shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by commencement.
the State President by proclamation _in the Gazette.·